Thierry Henry believes it was a “disgrace” that “one of the greatest midfielders of all time” missed out on winning the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
Almost a decade ago, Barcelona and Brazil forward Ronaldinho scooped the Ballon d’Or, which was then recognised as the European Football of the Year award, after a superb year for club and country.
Having guided Barca to the La Liga title – not to mention his contribution to Brazil qualifying for the World Cup – Ronaldinho became the third Brazilian to win the award as he picked up 225 points.
But the result came as a shock to former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who believes Steven Gerrard should have lifted the 2005 Ballon d’Or after lifting the Champions League with Liverpool.
“It was a disgrace he didn’t win European Footballer of the Year after Istanbul in 2005,” he said, as per the Premier League website. “For me, he will be regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.”
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard would eventually finish second in the standings on 148 points, while Steven Gerrard [142 points], Thierry Henry [41 points] and Andriy Shevchenko [33 points] made up the top five.
On the subject of Henry, many believe the Frenchman should have pipped Juventus legend Pavel Nedved to the Ballon d’Or trophy in 2003, including fellow pundit and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards.
Speaking on CBS’ Champions League coverage last year, Richards said: “2003. You had 32 goals and 28 assists that season. Nedved, who won it, had 14 goals and 17 assists.”
Henry replied: “Look, you can’t debate opinions. When journalists are involved and have a vote, they vote for whoever they want.”
He added: “However you want to look at it, they vote whatever they want and when you look at the votes in the history of it, not only my year, every year, you look at the first three, and you’re like, really? It is what it is. You can’t debate opinions.”
Henry came close to winning the Ballon d’Or. Image credit: Getty
Even Nedved himself was surprised at beating Henry to the Ballon d’Or in 2003.
“For me, Thierry Henry is the best forward in the world now,” he said when he collected his award.
“I am very happy. I did not think I would beat Thierry Henry, Paolo Maldini or Zinedine Zidane and if I had voted, I would have voted for Thierry and for the other players on the podium.”
